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Pitt Hosts “Holes in the Safety Net: The Forgotten Needs of People with Disabilities Under Quarantine” Town Hall

The University of Pittsburgh’s offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Health Sciences Diversity hosted a town hall to raise awareness of some of the greatest barriers to people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic—and what needs to be done to alleviate these challenges. The conversation was held ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26.

During the discussion, which was attended via Zoom and YouTube by more than 300 people, the panelists agreed that the challenges that people with disabilities face aren’t new, but have been further amplified by the pandemic. Among some of the greatest barriers: access to a variety of needs, including medical care, food and supplies, telemedicine, public transportation and support systems, like a school counselor; social isolation and related mental health risks; conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19; and issues related to online accessibility and remote learning.

The event was an installment of Pitt’s running town hall series “This Is Not ‘Normal’: Allyship an Advocacy in the Age of COVID-19.” The town hall series will culminate in Pitt’s Diversity Forum 2020, Advancing Social Justice: A Call to Action, to be held July 28-30. Secure your spot for the free event, which is open to the public.